Method of and apparatus for hydraulically pumping oil wells



Feb- 28, 1933- o. B. KIBELE E'r AL 1,899,597

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HYDRAULICALLY PUMPING OIL WELLS Filed Nov. 14,4 1930 2 sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 28, 1933. o. B. KIBELE ET AL 1899697 METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR HYDRAULICALLY PUMPING OIL WELLS' Filed Nov. 14, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 MW w w M 2 Patented Feb. 28, 1.933

UNITEDl STATE-.s

PATENT OFFICE OTTO B. KIBELE, OF WILMINGTON, AND ERIC R. ERICSON, F SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA; SAID EBICSON ASSIGNOR TO SAID KIBELE IETHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HYDRAULICALL'Y PUMPING OIL Application led November 14, 1930. Serial No. 495,680.

a method of pumping deep wells in which the pumping is effected by displacement of fluids operating under static balance.

The chief object of this invention is to provide a pumping apparatus in which the static lo head of the fluid in both the operating and producing columns will continuously act upon the movable member of the pump and in opposed directions in order to counterbalance the fluids. Y

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pumping apparatus for deep wells in which pumping is effected by fluid introduced into said mechanism operating a movable member which is in static balance with Huid from the well, and provided with means for maintaining such static balance.

Another object of the present'invention is to provide a pump of the character stated in which the flow of luid from the well is ef-` fected by displacement of fluid in a cylinder f communicating with the outer tubing, the :Huid actuating a plunger operating in a working barrel connected toan inner string of tubing. l

A further object is to provide a pump including an inner and an outer string of tubing, the space between said strings of tubing being filled with Huid communicating with a. working barrel in which is disposed a piston secured to a plunger operating in the inner string of tubing.

Briefly stated, the'pumping apparatus consists of a working barrel connected at each end thereof to tubing of reduced diameter extending through an outer string of tubing, a tubular plunger provided with check valves, a piston encircling the plunger and disposed in the working barrel, and a piston operating in a cylinder communicating with the outer string.

In operation, the plunger ismoved upward ly by displacement of 'fluid contained in the space between the inner and outer strings of tubing during inward movement of the piston in the cylinder, the iiuid in the working barrel then passing into the plunger through ports formed therein, thence into the inner tubing, and upwardly therethrough through f the outlet, the plunger moving downwardly during outward movement of the piston in the cylinder, the fluid in the well drawn into the inner tubing during upward movement of the plunger then passing through the plunger into the workingA barrel above the piston.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken through a well with the improved pumping apparatus in operative position therein, the plunger and piston being shown at the termination ofthe down stroke.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the piston at the termination of the upstroke.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1, the well casing being omitted.. l

Fig. 4 is a section through the upper portlon of the working barrel and plunger, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section taken through the outer tubing showing the working barrel removed Ifrom its seat.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, 10 designates the usual casing disposed in a well hole 11, it being understood, howthereof being connected to a head 14 whichi rests on a suitable clamp or spider 151s@- cured to the upper end of the casing, the lower end of the tubing extending below the level of the oil designated at 16 in the well.

Disposed within the outer ystring of tub'- ing is a working barrel -18 vconnected at each end thereof by screw threads to couplings 19 and 20 which-in turn are connected to upper and .lower sections of an inner pipe or string of tubing 22 of reduced diameter. The up- 0o per section 23 of said tubing extends through formed in a special fitting 30 interposedin the outer string12, and is provided in order that the inner tubing and working parts hereinafter described may be easily and quickly installed or removed in the manner indicated inFig.5.-

Slidably mounted within .the inner tubing, and extending through the working barrel and openings formed in the couplings 19 and 20 is a tubular plunger 32 provided with upper and lower check valves 34 and 36 respectively, and secured to the plunger preferably by screw threaded connections37 (see Fig. 3) is a piston designated at 38, which encircles the same, yand slidably engages the inner wall of the working barrel. The plunger is provided with suitable packing rings engaglng the upper and lower sections 23 and 25 ofthe inner string of tubing 22.

Formed in the lower end of the working ba-rrelis a plurality of ports 40 which form a passageway or communication with the fluid indicated at 42 contained in the space between the inner and outer strings of tubing, the fluid 42-is introduced into the space between the inner and outer tubing by any suitable means after the apparatus has been installed in the well. Escapement of air during admission of the fluid 42 is provided for by a relief valve 44 in register with an opening formed in the upper end of the head 14.

It will be particularly noted that the Huid 42 should be of the same gravity as the oil in the well, oras nearly so as possible, in order that a hydrostatic balance may be established with the fluid in the inner string.

Secured to the upper end of the inner tubing, preferably by companion flanges 46 is a cylinder 48 in which is mounted a follower 49, the bottom face 50 of which rests on the surface of the column of fluid in the inner tubing, a plurality of weights 52 placed on a flange or abutment 54 secured to the follower are provided to compensate for any variation occurring in the gravity of the oil entering the well from the formation.- Disposed in the inner tubing and resting on the cage 55 of the check valve 34 is a weight member 56 having a plurality of guide members 57 thereon throughout its length, the weight being provided in order to insure downward movement of the plunger.

Mounted on the surface of the ground, preferably adjacent the head 14, is a fluid displacement apparatus 58 which consists of a cylinder`60, a piston 61 therein, a connecting rod 62 connected by crank pins 63 and 64, respectvely, to the piston and a crank disk 65 secured to a shaft 66, the shaft being mounted in suitable bearings 67, 'and connected by transmission (not shown) to a source of power adapted to rotate the shaft at a constant speed. l

Communication between the rear or Aclosed end of thecylinder 60 andthe headv 14 is provided by a pipe 68, the opposite ends thereof being threaded intoopenings formed in the closed end of the'cylind'er and side wall of thc?i head 14 respectively, as shown in Figs. 1 an 2. Upward movement of theplunger 32 is effected during inward movement of the piston 61, therefore the cubic contents or volume of the cylinder 601and the space in the working barrel are substantially equal, the stroke of the plunger may be varied by selectively placing the crank pins 64 in either ofthe openings designated at 7() or 72 formed in the crank disk. It will be noted that the superficial area of the -iston 38 is equal to or slightly greater than t e cross sectional area of the inner tubing in order that the check valve will remain seated during downward movement of the plunger.

Replacement of'fluid losses through leak. age around the piston 60 o1' stuffing box 24 is provided for by a reserve tank 74 containing v a supply of fluid and connected to the cylinder by a manifold 76 consisting of feed pipes 77 controlled by valves 78, thev plurality of pipes being provided to admit fluid when the stroke of the piston is changed, these pipes also permit escape of any air or gas which may collect in the piston or space between the inner and outer strings of tubing.

Operation of the pump is as'follows:

Assuming that the pist-on 38 is at the termination of the down stroke, the piston 61 l at the limit of the outstroke Aand the inner tubing and the space between the inner and outer tubing together with the cylinder 60 filled with fluid as shown in Fig. 1.

During inward movement of the piston 61, the fluid in the cylinder 60 will pass through the pipe 68 intothe space between the inner and outer strings of tubing at which time a corresponding amount of fluid passes through the ports 40 into the working barrel resulting in raising the piston 38 and plunger 32 to the position shown in Fig. 2. v

During upward movement of the plunger, the fluid in the working barrel will pass into the plunger through ports 80 formed therein through the check valve 34 into the inner tubing, thence through the outlet pipe 82, fluid from the well being" simultaneously drawn through the standing valve 26 into the lower section 25 of the inner tubing.

0n downward movement of the plu-nger, which is effected by gravity, the fluid within the inner tubing between .the plunger' and standing valve 26 willpass through the check valve 36 and ports 80 into the working bar.-

` rel above the piston, itbeing particularly noted that the check valve 34 remains seated during downward movement of the plunger. From the foregoing it will be seen that the plunger 32 and piston 61 'operate in unison,

also that movementI of the follower 49 with lthe weights thereon will serve to visibly indicate the movement of the plunger, i. e., at a distance from the well.

We claim:

'1. A pump of the character described comprising an outer string or tubing, an inner string of tubing disposed within the outer string of tubing, a checkI valve secured to the inner string of tubing adjacent the lower end thereof, al working barrel, members connecting said working barrel at each end thereof to said inner string of tubing, a tubular plunger provided with check valves adapted to open upwardly, said plunger slidably mounted in said inner string of tubing and extending through said working barrel and an opening formed in each of the members connecting said working barrel to said inner string of tubing, a piston secured to said plunger and disposed in said working barrel, there being ports formed in said working barrel below said piston and ports in said plunger abovesaid piston, a head secured to the upper end of said outer tubing, packing means carried by said head forming a fluid tight seal around thejinner string of tubing, and hydrostatic displacement means communicating with the outer` string of tubing for the purpose set forth.

2. A pumping apparatus of the character described comprising an inner and an outer pipe, a workinv' barrel having a plurality of ports formed therein adjacent the lower end thereof interposed in saidinner pipe, a tubular plunger slidably mounted in said inner pipe and extending through said working barrel, a piston slidably mounted in said working barrel and connected to said plunger, there being a plurality of ports formed in said plunger above the piston, and fluid displacement means communicating with the outer pipe for the purpose set forth. o

SAA pumping apparatus comprising an outer and an inner pipe, a working barrel interposed in the inner pipe, a plunger provlded with check valves operating in said inner pipe, a piston secured to said plunger and operating in said working barrel, there lbeing ports formed in said working barrel below said piston and port-s in said plunger above said piston, said inner pipe being filled with fluid from the well, and the space between said inner and outer pipe filled with fluid in communication with said piston and in hydrostatic balance with the fluid in the inner string, and means for displacing the fluid within said inner and outer pipes, whereby said plunger may be,raised.

4. A pumping apparatuscomprxsmg an outer and an inner pipe, a working barrel inter osed in the inner pipe, a'plunger proyide with check valves operatlng in said lnner pipe, a. piston secured to said plunger and operating in said working barrel, said inner pipe being filled with fluid from the well, and the space between said inner and outer pipe filled with fluid'in communication with said .piston and in hydrostatic balance with the fluid in the inner string, and means for counterbalancing the weight of the fluid in the inner string with the fluid introduced into the space between the inner and outer strings.

5. A pumping mechanism of the character described comprising an outer string of well tubing, a fitting having a tapered seat formed thereon interposed in said outer string of tubing, an inner string of tubin formed in upper and lower sections disposed within the outer string of tubing, a check valve mounted inthe lower section of the inner tubing, a working barrel of larger diameter than the inner string of tubing, a coupling connecting the working barrel to the lower section of the inner tubing and having a tapered external face engaging the seat formed in said fitting, a coupling connecting the working barrel to the upper section of'the inner tubing, a tubular plunger provided with check valves at its upper and lower ends thereof, said plunge-r extending through openings formed in said couplings into theupper and lower sections of said inner string of tubing, a piston disposed in the working barrel and encircling the plunger, there being ports formed in said working` barrel below said piston and ports forme in said plunger above said piston, a head secured to the upper end ofthe outer string of tubing, packing means carried by the head forming a fluid tight seal around the inner tubing, a cylinder and piston operating therein, a pipe forming communication between the cylinder and the outer string, whereby upon inward movement of the piston in the cylinder said plunger will be vraised through displacement ot fluid contained between the inner and outer string of tubing through ports formed inthe working barrel adjacent the lower end thereof. p

6. A pumping apparatus of the character described comprising an inner and an outer string of tubing, a working barrel interposed in the inner string of tubing, a tubular plunger provided with check valves disposed in said inner string and extending through said working barrel, a piston disposed in said working barrel and secured to said plunger, a follower slidably mounted in the inner tubing and projecting thereabove, and a plurality of weights removably connected to said tubing,A a fitting having a tapered seat formed `thereon interposed in said outer string of tub"- i'ng, aninner string of tubing formed in upper and lower sections disposed within the outer string of tubing,a check valve mounted in the lower section of the inner tubing, a working barrel of larger diameter than the inner string of tubing, a coupling connecting :I6 the working barrel to the lower section 'ofthe inner tubing and havinga tapered external face engaging the seat formed' insaid fitting, a coupling connecting the working barrelto the upper section of the inner tubing, a tubular plunger provided with check ,valves at its upper andlower ends thereof, said plunger extending through openings formed in said couplings into the upper and lower sections of said inner string of tubing, there being ports formed in said working barrel below said'piston and ports formed in said plunger above said piston, a piston disposed in the working barrel and encircling the plunger, a head secured to the upper end of the outer string of tubing, packing means carried by the head forming a fluid tight seal around the inner tubing, a cylinder and piston oplerating therein, a pipe forming communication between the cylinder and the outer string, and means for adjusting the-stroke of the piston in said cylinder.

8. A method of `operating a deep well liquid pressure operated pump having an operating column and a producing column and a piston operated by bothy columns for delivery of liquid into the producing column, which consists in creating a hydrostatic head in both the operating and producing columns l of liquid to act upon the movablepiston and in opposed directions, and means for apply# ing pressure to the producing column at its upper end to reestablish the balance should the hydrostatic head in the said columns become unbalanced.

9. A method of operating a deep well liquid pressure operated pump having an operating column and a producing column and a movable piston operated by both columns for del g livery of liquid into the producing column,

which consists in creating a hydrostatic head in both the operating and producing columnsy of liquid to act upon the movable piston and in opposed directions, and means to vary the pressure on the producing column, whereby to constantly maintain a hydrostatic head in both of said columns when the iuids in both columns vary in specic gravity.

In testimony whereof we aix our signatures.v

`OTTO B. KIBELIL ERIC R. ERICSON. 

